| Some years after the end of World War II, this paper attempts to illustrate the conditions surrounding the preservation of Cretan antiquities during the German occupation. The survey focuses on the fate of archaeological finds in the Heraklion Museum and in the collections at Knossos, Phaistos, Gortyna, Neapoli, Ierapetra, Sitia, Rethymnon, Chania and Kastelli Kissamou. Destruction wrought at the archaeological sites at Knossos, Isopata, Amnissos, Nirou, Malia, Phaistos, Aghia Triada, Gortyna, Lagou in Lassithi and Palaeokastro Sitia is also appraised, extending to a number of Venetian buildings in Heraklion, Rethymnon, Chania and Amari. Finally, evidence is adduced regarding illegal excavations carried out at the small palace at Knossos, Monastiraki Amariou, Gouverneto, Koumarospilo, Aptera and the sanctuary of Dictynna on Cape Spathas. |